Liverpool overcame another obstacle on the path to what looks an almost certain Premier League title triumph as they chalked up a record-breaking 20th win in 21 matches with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
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The Reds have a scarcely believable 16-point lead and have made the best start to a season across Europe's big five leagues after collecting 61 points from 21 games.
By gaining redemption for one of the darkest days in their history, Southampton succeeded in pushing Liverpool even closer to their first English league title in 30 years.
A 2-1 comeback win at Leicester on Saturday gave Southampton a measure of revenge for their humiliating 9-0 loss to the same opponents two months ago that left them in the drop zone.
At the same time, it gave the Reds a chance to pull further clear at the top in their quest to reclaim the biggest prize in English soccer.
And Juergen Klopp's men didn't waste it courtesy of Roberto Firmino's first-half strike.
"We know about it and it is special but I can't feel it," Liverpool manager Klopp said.
"What I know about football is if somebody gives you a trophy or something, then it's done. Until then, you have to fight as much as you can."
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho was left with mixed feelings after his side failed to capitalise on late chances.
"(We were) very, very close. I think we have many reasons to be sad with the result but I have only reasons to be happy with what the boys did," he told Sky Sports.
Manchester City can climb above Leicester to second by winning at Aston Villa on Sunday.
At Leicester, Danny Ings' 14th goal of the season gave Southampton the points after Stuart Armstrong head earlier levelled Dennis Praet's early opener.
Ralph Hasenhuttl's Saints are now 12th.
Manchester United recorded an emphatic 4-0 win over Norwich City at Old Trafford to go fifth.
Marcus Rashford scored twice on his 200th appearance for United, his second from the penalty spot, before goals by Anthony Martial and substitute Mason Greenwood.
What was noticeable during the match were chants against United's American ownership - the Glazer family - and executive vice chairman Ed Woodward.
"I'm not sure if the players will get it but I noticed," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.
"As a club we've got to stick together, we've got to be united. We are a family."
The Red Devils are five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea who defeated Burnley 3-0 courtesy of goals from Jorginho, Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored before being sent off as Arsenal drew 1-1 at Crystal Palace.
The Gunners captain finished off a flowing team move for the 12th-minute opening goal before advice from the VAR resulted in him being red carded for a late challenge on Max Meyer.
Elsewhere, Richarlison scored to give Everton a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion while Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers drew 1-1.
Australian Associated Press
